A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that all city-owned buildings be powered by green energy sources by 2050

Int. No. 598

By The Speaker (Council Member Johnson)

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that all city-owned buildings be powered by green energy sources by 2050

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 2 of title 4 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 4-211 to read as follows:

§ 4-211 Green energy in city-owned buildings. a. As used in this section:

Green energy sources. The term “green energy source” means a source of energy that is:

1. A qualified energy resource, as such term is defined in section 45 of title 26 of the United States code in effect on January 1, 2017;

2. A source that is determined to be renewable by the head of an agency designated by the mayor;

3. A source that is determined by such head to have (i) a positive environmental impact or (ii) a substantially lower negative environmental impact than fossil fuel-based energy sources.

Green energy system. The term “green energy system” means a system that generates energy (i) substantially from one or more green energy sources, in accordance with rules promulgated by an agency designated by the mayor, or (ii) wholly from one or more green energy sources.

b. 1. On and after January 1, 2030, not less than 50 percent of the energy used by city-owned buildings shall be (i) generated from a green energy system installed on the premises of such a building or (ii) purchased by the city and generated from a green energy system that is not installed on the premises of such a building.

2. On and after January 1, 2040, not less than 75 percent of energy used by city-owned buildings shall be (i) generated from a green energy system installed on the premises of such a building or (ii) purchased by the city and generated from a green energy system that is not installed on the premises of such a building.

3. On and after January 1, 2050, 100 percent of energy use by city-owned buildings shall be (i) generated from a green energy system installed on the premises of such a building or (ii) purchased by the city and generated from a green energy system that is not installed on the premises of such a building.

c.  No later than three months after each compliance date set in subdivision b of this section, the commissioner of citywide administrative services shall electronically submit to the mayor and speaker of the council, and make publicly available online, a report concerning the implementation of this section, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. The percentage of energy used by city-owned buildings that comes from green energy sources;

2. Any difficulties in complying with this section and recommendations for addressing such difficulties;

3. The types of green energy sources utilized and recommendations for expanding or limiting the definition of green energy sources in this section, if any;

4. The costs attributable to complying with this section; and

5. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions attributable to complying with this section, including any other environmental or energy-related benefits attributable to such compliance.

d. The mayor shall include in each long-term sustainability plan required by subdivision e of section 20 of the charter a plan with policies, programs and actions to be undertaken to comply with the requirements of this section.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

LS# 4863/Int. 854-2015

JCH/MAJ

2/12/18 11:17AM